A new population-level study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals something unsettling: disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) like IBS and functional dyspepsia have surged post-pandemic. Compared to pre-COVID rates, IBS jumped by 28%, and functional dyspepsia spiked nearly 44%.
But here’s the twist—individuals with long COVID aren’t just more likely to suffer from these GI disorders. They’re also grappling with worse mental health and lower quality of life, suggesting that COVID-19 may be reshaping the gut-brain axis in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
Are we prepared for this new wave of post-viral GI and mental health complications?